Constant throttle devices



Jan. 30, 1968 R. w. COUFFER, JR 3,366,204

CONSTANT THROTTLE DEVI CES Filed May 17, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 m R Q N N N g} VA 6 00M 5 OUECE I N VEN TOR.

lease/27' W COO/FER 2.

ATTORNEYS Jan. 30, 1968 R. w. COUFFER, JR 3,3662% CONSTANT THROTTLE DEVI CES Filed May 17, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 05527" W, Cour/ 52 Je,

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,366,204 CONSTANT THROTTLE DEVICES Robert W. Couffer, Jr., Deerfield, Ill., assignor to The Dole Valve Company, Morton Grove, III., a corporation of Illinois Filed May 17, 1965, Ser. No. 456,416 Claims. (31. 192-3 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A constant throttle device for a combustion type driven vehicle and including a wrist clamp for gripping a throttle linkage in response to the operation of a vacuum motor powered by a vacuum source initiated at the intake manifold of the vehicle. The wrist clamp is slidably mounted on an acceleration housing and biased into a constant throttle position wherein the slidable mounting of the wrist clamp allows the constant throttle setting established by the actuation of the wrist clamp to be overridden by the vehicle operator without upsetting the pre-established constant throttle position. The constant throttle position is automatically maintained until released by depressing the brake pedal which closes 0E and vents the vacuum source for the vacuum motor associated with the wrist clamp.

This invention relates to a constant throttle device and in particular to a constant throttle device for use in conjunction with the fuel injection system of a motor vehicle.

Open highway driving and particularly distance driving involves considerable fatigue on the part of the operator. One source of this fatigue is the need for maintaining a constant foot pressure at the accelerator pedal.

Various speed control systems have been developed which enable the driver to release the foot accelerator while maintaining a chosen speed level. These systems, however, have had one drawback in common-their cost has exceeded the demand of the general automobile market.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a constant throttle device which is greatly reduced in cost and which meets the general needs of distance driving.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a constant throttle device employing a novel means for clamping a throttle linkage which will enable the foot accelerator to be used as an override means.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a constant throttle device actuated by the vacuum source available in a combustion type engine.

Futher objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein reference numerals are utilized to indicate a preferred embodiment and wherein:

FIGURE 1 shows a constant throttle device and its associated equipment as utilized within a vacuum controlled system;

' FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along the lines IIII of the throttle mechanism as shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE'3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the constant throttle system of FIGURE 1 utilizing an elec IV'IV of the throttle mechanism shown in FIGURE 3.

A preferred embodiment of the constant throttle device of this invention is shown in FIGURE 1 generally as having a means for clamping a throttle linkage at a given setting of the accelerator pedal. In this embodiment, the clamping provision takes the form of a wrist clamp actuated by a vacuum motor which, in turn, is powered through the vacuum source continuously available at the intake manifold of a combustion type engine. Once the throttle linkage has been securely grasped, means are provided to allow the operator to accelerate the vehicle beyond the throttle setting by depressing the accelerator pedal. The important consideration, here, is that this acceleration while the constant throttle mechanism is engaged does not disturb but rather preserves the previous throttle setting. This is accomplished by allowing the entire wrist clamp to slide longitudinally within an acceleration housing and to return to a clamp seat when the accelerator pedal is released.

It is understandable, of course that although the throttle setting should be preserved during acceleration, means must be provided for disengaging the device upon applying the foot brake. Here, disengagement is accomplished by operating a pneumatic valve within the vacuum system directly from the foot pedal movement.

Referring to FIGURE 1 in greater detail, a throttle linkage 1 is shown in engagement with an accelerator pedal 2 in customary fashion. A wrist clamp 3 is provided for slidably receiving the throttle linkage 1 which allows for manual throttle operation.

The wrist clamp 3 is more clearly viewed in FIGURE 2 and comprises generally a semiring 4 slidably received about the throttle linkage 1 and having first and second spaced torque arms 5 and 6 extending therefrom. When the torque arms 5 and 6 are in an unstrained position, the throttle linkage 1 is freely slidable within the ring 4, and the manual acceleration system employing the foot pedal 2 will be unobstructed. However, when the spaced arms 5 and 6 art torqued inwardly relative to one another, the diameter of the ring 4 will be significantly reduced for seizing the throttle linkage 1. At this point, the foot pedal 2 may be released and the linkage 1 will be held in its preset position.

To allow for an increase in sped above the clamped level, means are provided to cause the downward movement of the foot pedal 2 to override the constant throttle setting. This is achieved by equipping the wrist clamp with outwardly extending legs 7 which are slidably received within a longitudinal slot 8 formed within an acceleration housing. The acceleration housing comprises a bracket support which may be mounted for instance at the rear wall of a floor panel 9 adjacent to the accelerator pedal 2. The bracket support consists of vertical walls 11 for defining the longitudinal slot 8 and an end face 12 having a guide opening .13 formed centrally thereof for slidably receiving the throttle linkage 1.

The linkage 1 is also received through a guide opening 14 formed within the floor panel 9 for allowing the rounded end 15 to engage the rear surface of the foot pedal 2. Of course, if the foot pedal 2 is to be a true override means, rather than an interrupter, means must be provided for returning the throttle linkage 1 to its original setting after the foot pedal 2 has been released. To meet this requirement, a coil spring 16 is disposed intermediate the inner face of the end face 12 and the outwardly extending legs 7 associated with the wrist clamp 3.

As has been noted, this embodiment illustrates a vacuum actuated system, and, therefore, a vacuum motor 17 is provided to actuate the torque arms 5 and 6 for seizing the throttle linkage 1. The vacuum motor 17 consists primarily of a casing 18 having a piston 19 disposed therein and a piston rod 20 extending therefrom through an opening 21. Two further openings 22 and 23 are formed within the torque arms 5 and 6 and aligned with the opening 21 for similarly receiving the piston rod 20 which is, then, bolted as at 24 to the outside face of the arm 5 for causing the vacuum motor casing 18 to likewise abut the outer face of the torque arm 6. The vacuum motor is connected to the vacuum source through an inlet 25 which conducts to a chamber formed intermediate the casing 18 and the piston 19.

A vacuum hose 26 is connected to the inlet of the vacuum motor and conducts from the vacuum source which, as mentioned, is available at the engine manifold. The path to the inlet 25 from the vacuum source, however, is not direct, in that control valves are provided to be operated within the vacuum hose 26.

The first of these control valves 27 is push button operated and is used for engaging the constant throttle mechanism. The valve 27 is disposed within the vacuum hose 26 and is orientated to be normally closed with respect to the vacuum source. When, however, the push button rod 28 is depressed, the valve 27 is opened for communicating the vacuum source with the motor inlet 25. To lock the valve 27 in an opened position for continuous constant throttle operation, a second vacuum motor 29 is provided from a junction 30 for having a piston rod 31 cooperable with an opening 32 within the push button rod 28. When the push button 28 is depressed, the valve 27 is opened and the vacuum motor 29 is actuated for raising the piston rod 31 and engaging the opening 32 at an upwardly facing pin 33. In this way the valve 27 will be held open until an external means is provided for reducing the vacuum Within the hose 26 and thereby releasing the vacuum motor 29.

Such an external means is provided in the form of a second pneumatic valve 34 disposed to be operable within the vacuum hose 26 and which is actuated directly from a brake pedal 35. The valve 34 is orientated to be in a normally open position such that the depressing of the brake pedal 35 will close the valve with respect to the vacuum source. It also merits noting that the same motion used to close the valve 34 may also be employed to vent low pressures trapped within the vacuum system for allowing the respective valve motors to return to an idle position.

An alternate embodiment to this invention is known in FIGURES 3 and 4 and substantially provides for a substitution of electrical components for the analogous vacuum operated members shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

Referring to FIGURE 3, it can be seen that the vacuum motor utilized in FIGURES 1 and 2 has been replaced by a solenoid 36 and a cooperable armature 37 which is secured to the torque arms 5 and 6 similarly to the attachment of the vacuum motor 3. It is understood that energization of the solenoid 36 will cause the armature 37 to be withdrawn therein for compressing the torque arms 5 and 6 and seizing the throttle linkage 1.

In place of the vacuum motor 29 used for operating the manual switch 28, a second solenoid 38 is provided for having an armature 39 cooperable with a notch 40 formed within the push rod 28. As a supplementary feature, a lamp 41 is provided in series with the solenoid 38 to provide a signal for the constant throttle system. In place of the valve 27 an electric push button switch 42 is provided to make the connection between the power source, which in this case is the automobile battery, and the principal power solenoid 36. When the push button rod 28 is depressed, the solenoid 36 will be energized for compressing the torque arms 5 and 6, and simultaneously the solenoid 38 will likewise be energized for engaging the armature 39 within the notch 40 formed at the push button rod 28. In this way, the switch 42 will be held in a closed position until an external force is applied to deenergize the solenoid 38.

Here, the external force is supplied as a switch 43 which is actuated by the foot brake 35 similar to the actuation of the valve 34. When the brake 35 is depressed, the switch 43 will be disengaged and the solenoid 38 will be deenergized for returning the push button rod 28 to its normal position. It may be noted that in this electrical embodiment an additional switch 44 may be provided to be operated by rotation of the ignition key which is a common means of energizing automobile circuit components.

It will be understood that various modifications may be suggested by the embodiment disclosed but I desire to claim within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as come within the scope of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a motor vehicle having a fuel injection system and a throttle linkage for governing the rate of fuel injected thereinto, a constant throttle device comprising a vacuum motor, a wrist clamp receiving said throttle linkage and being responsive to said vacuum motor for seizing said throttle linkage, an acceleration fixture mounted stationary relative to said fuel injection system, said wrist clamp being slidably mounted on said acceleration fixture, means biasing said wrist clamp in a direction for closing said fuel injection system during seizure of said throttle linkage by said wrist clamp, and a valve means with-in said vacuum line for opening and closing a vacuum source relative to said vacuum motor.

2. In a motor vehicle having a fuel injection system and a throttle linkage for governing the rate of fuel injected thereinto, a constant throttle device comprising a motor means, a wrist clamp receiving said throttle linkage and being responsive to said motor means for seizing said throttle linkage, an acceleration fixture mounted stationary relative to said fuel injection system, said wrist clamp being slidably mounted on said acceleration fixture, means biasing said wrist clamp in a direction for closing said fuel injection system during seizure of said throttle linkage by said wrist clamp, and means for energizing and deenergizing said motor means.

3. In a motor vehicle having a fuel injection system and a throttle linkage for governing the rate of fuel injected thereinto, a constant throttle device comprising a first vacuum motor having a vacuum operated piston disposed therein and a piston rod extending therefrom, a wrist clamp receiving said throttle linkage and having a pair of spaced torque arms extending therefrom, a first of said torque arms held substantially stationary relative to said first vacuum motor and a second of said torque arms engaged by said piston rod for being torqued relative to said first arm by actuation of said piston, a valve means within said vacuum line for opening and closing said vacuum source relative to said vacuum motor, biasing means for closing said valve means relative to said.

vacuum source, a second vacuum motor operable from said vacuum line and energized by said valve means for holding said valve means in an opened position, and means for deenergizing said second vacuum motor.

4. In a motor vehicle having a fuel injection system and a throttle linkage for governing the rate of fuel injected thereinto, a constant throttle device comprising a first vacuum motor having a vacuum operated piston disposed therein and a piston rod extending therefrom, a wrist clamp receiving said throttle linkage and having a pair of spaced torque arms extending therefrom, a first of said torque arms held Substantially stationary relative to said first vacuum motor and a second of said torque arms engaged by said piston rod for being torqued relative to said first arm by actuation of said piston, a first valve means within said vacuum line for opening and closing said vacuum source relative to said first vacuum motor, means biasing said first valve means closed relative to said vacuum source, a second vacuum motor operable from said vacuum line and energized by said first valve means for holding said first valve means in an opened position, and a second valve means within said vacuum line for being operated by a brake pedal to close said vacuum source relative to said second vacuum motor.

5. In a motor vehicle having a fuel injection system and a throttle linkage for governing the rate of fuel injected thereinto, a constant throttle device comprising a vacuum motor having a vacuum operated piston disposed therein and a piston rod extending therefrom, a wrist clamp receiving said throttle linkage and having a pair of spaced torque arms extending therefrom, a first of said torque arms held substantially stationary relative to said vacuum motor and a second of said torque arms engaged by said piston rod for being torqued relative to said first arm by actuation of said piston, an acceleration housing fixedly mounted relative to said fuel injection system for receiving said throttle linkage axially therethrough, guide means formed axially within said acceleration housing, said wrist clamp having supporting legs thereof slidably received within said guide means, means biasing said supporting legs for closing said fuel injection system during seizure of said throttle linkage by said wrist clamp, and a valve means within said vacuum line for opening and closing said vacuum source relative to said vacuum motor.

6. In a motor vehicle having a fuel inject-ion system and a throttle linkage for governing the rate of fuel injected thereinto, a constant throttle device comprising a vacuum motor having a vacuum operated piston disposed therein and a piston rod extending therefrom, a wrist clamp receiving said throttle linkage and having a pair of spaced torque arms extending therefrom, a first of said torque arms held substantially stationary relative to said vacuum motor and a second of said torque arms engaged by said piston rod for being torqued relative to said first arm by actuation of said piston, an acceleration fixture mounted for being stationary relative to said fuel injection system, said acceleration fixtures having a guide opening for receiving said throttle linkage axially therethrough and having a guide slot formed longitudinally therein, said wrist clamp having outwardly extending legs thereof slidably received within said guide slot, a coil spring disposed intermediate said acceleration fixture and said supporting legs biasing said outwardly extending legs in a direction for closing said fuel injection system during seizure of said throttle linkage by said wrist clamp, and a valve means within said vacuum line for opening and closing said vacuum source relative to said vacuum motor.

7. In a motor vehicle having a fuel injection system and a throttle linkage for governing the rate of fuel injected thereinto, a constant throttle device comprising a first vacuum motor having a vacuum operated piston disposed therein and a piston rod extending therefrom, a Wrist clamp receiving said throttle linkage and having a pair of spaced torque arms extending therefrom, a first of said torque arms held substantially stationary relative to said first vacuum motor and a second of said torque arms engaged by said piston rod for being torqued relative to said first arm by actuation of said piston, an acceleration housing fixedly mounted relative to said fuel injection system for receiving said throttle linkage axially therethrough, guide means formed axially within said acceleration housing, said wrist clamp having supporting legs thereof slidably received within said guide means, means biasing said supporting legs for closing said fuel injection system during seizure of said throttle linkage by said wrist clamp, a valve means within said vacuum line for opening and closing said vacuum source relative to said first vacuum motor, biasing means for closing said valve means relative to said vacuum source, a second vacuum motor operable from said vacuum line and energized by said valve means for holding said valve means in an opened position, and means for deenergizing said second vacuum motor.

8. In a motor vehicle having a fuel injection system and a throttle linkage for governing the rate of fuel injected thereinto, a constant throttle device comprising a first vacuum motor having a vacuum operated piston disposed therein and a piston rod extending therefrom, a wrist clamp receiving said throttle linkage and having a pair of spaced torque arms extending therefrom, a first of said torque arms held substantially stationary relative to said first vacuum motor and a second of said torque arms engaged by said piston rod for being torqued relative to said first arm by actuation of said piston, an acceleration housing fixedly mounted relative to said fuel injection system for receiving said throttle linkage axially therethrough, guide means formed axially within said acceleration housing, said wrist clamp having supporting legs thereof slidably received within said guide means, means biasing said supporting legs for closing said fuel injection system during seizure of said throttle linkage by said wrist clamp, and a first valve means within said vacuum line for opening and closing said vacuum source relative to said first vacuum motor, means biasing said first valve means closed relative to said vacuum source, a second vacuum motor operable from said vacuum line and energized by said first valve means for holding said first valve means in an opened position, and a second valve means within said vacuum line for being operated by a brake pedal to close said vacuum source relative to said second vacuum motor.

9. In a motor vehicle having a fuel injection system and a throttle linkage for governing the rate of fuel injected thereinto, a constant throttle device comprising a wrist clamp receiving said throttle linkage and having a pair of spaced torque arms extending therefrom, an electric solenoid disposed for being connected to a power source and having an armature operably disposed therein, a first of said torque arms held substantially stationary relative to said electric solenoid and a second of said torque arms engaged by said armature for being torqued relative to said first torque arm by energization of said solenoid, an acceleration housing fixedly mounted relative to said fuel injection system for receiving said throttle linkage axially therethrough, guide means formed axially within said acceleration housing, said Wrist clamp having supporting legs thereof slidably received within said guide means, means biasing said supporting legs for closing said fuel injection system during seizure of said throttle linkage by said wrist clamp, and a manual switch for engaging and disengaging said electric solenoid with said power source.

10. In a motor vehicle having a fuel injection system and a throttle linkage for governing the rate of fuel injected thereinto, a constant throttle device comprising a wrist clamp receiving said throttle linkage and having a pair of spaced torque arms extending therefrom, a first electric solenoid disposed for being connected to a power source and having an armature operably disposed therein, a first of said torque arms held substantially stationary relative to said first electric solenoid and a second of said torque arms engaged by said armature for being torqued relative to said first torque arm by energization of said first solenoid, an acceleration housing fixedly mounted relative to said fuel injection system for receiving said throttle linkage axially therethrough, guide means formed axially within said acceleration housing, said wrist clamp having supporting legs thereof slidably received within said guide means, means biasing said supporting legs for closing said fuel injection system during seizure of said throttle linkage by said wrist clamp, a first manual switch for engaging and disengaging said first electric solenoid with said power source, means biasing said first manual switch into an opened position, a second electric solenoid energized by said first manual switch and being operably disposed for holding said first manual switch in a closed position, and a second switch operated by a brake pedal for disengaging said second electric solenoid.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1950 Krieg l923 4/1956 Exline l923 10/1956 Struthers l923 10/1962 Scofield et a] l923 11/1964 Marett et al. 192-3 MILTON KAUFMAN, Primary Examiner.

C. J HUSAR, Assistant Examiner. 

